Saturday, January 26, 2013

Proper Hat Etiquette for Fine Ladies and Gentlemen

I visited the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass. last week and caught a terrific show of hats.  There was all kinds of headgear from colonial bicorns to Sarah Jessica Parker's lime green cap from the Sex and the City premiere.


While I was perusing the exhibit, I picked up some good tips on hat etiquette. Do you know the right time to wear a hat? Or more importantly, when you shouldn't wear one? Well, Emily Post sure knows and she's not afraid to tell you!
 
For women the rules are pretty straightforward...
 
Hats on:
-In someone's home
-At luncheons, weddings or garden parties
-At religious services
-At a movie or any indoor performances
-When the national anthem is played
-When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
 
Hats off:
-Indoors at work
-Anytime a hat blocks someone's view, such as at a wedding or in a theater
 
 
(look at this Betty, just flaunting the rules!)
 
 
For men, its a little more complicated...
 

 
 
 
Hats on:
-Outdoors
-At athletic events (indoors or out)
-On public transportation
-In public buildings such as post offices and airports, and in hotel or office lobbies
-On elevators (?!)
 
 
Hats off:
-In someone's home
-At mealtimes, at the table
-While being introduced, indoors or out (unless it's frigid!)
-In a house of worship, unless a hat or head covering is required
-Indoors at work, especially at the office (unless required for the job)
-In public buildings such as a school, library, courthouse or town hall
-In restaurants and coffee shops
-At a movie or any indoor performance
-When the national anthem is played
-When the flag of the United States passes by, as in a parade
 
Remember everything? Good, because there will be a quiz.  Also Emily Post notes that these rules do not apply to those with cancer or other medical conditions.  They may keep their hats or caps on at all times if they wish.
 
(Thanks to man-custy Austin for letting us take pix of him!)


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